Friday, July 27, 2007

The New York Times had an article today showcasing a variety of communities and venues that show outdoor movies during the summer. The article described outdoor movies taking place in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens and in parks, museums and even roof tops. However, there was no mentions of outdoor movies being shown at Southpoint Park on Roosevelt Island. It continually confounds me when worthwhile activities on Roosevelt Island are ignored or unknown to the rest of NYC. I don't know if this is the general indifference to Roosevelt Island or the inability to properly promote fun and interesting activities on the Island.

The Curbed view on the issue of CAPS (I'm sorry, I know I promised not to do it again but it seemed appropriate given the circumstances) is that it was a deliberate cry seeking attention for critical Roosevelt Island issues. Uhhh, yeah I guess that's right. Anyway, thank you Curbed for the notice and don't be scared. We are friendly.

On the way to the subway this morning I saw that the fence in front of the newest Riverwalk addition was removed and Duane Reade's store front is almost complete. Rumors are they are going to open next year but it looks like it's going to happen much sooner.

The reader goes on to comment about the lack of retail services on Roosevelt Island.

Isn't it pathetic that we are excited about the opening of a new pizza place, a Duane Reade, or (a few months back) a Starbucks? How about adding a poll to your blog asking for what we would like to see next on RI?

This island has so much potential in regards of housing and retail.

Another reader has a slightly more optimistic view on Island amenities.

Nonno's is coming and so is the Japanese Place. The commons is now fence free and the lanscaping is looking great. Duanne Reade is almos here as well. The signature red canopies were installed today and I'm getting my prescriptions ready to get filled while I run to the Chase Bank ATM(rumos has it that Chase is coming also) to get some cash to buy a a Cherry Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks. Inch by inch, Step by step...

So, let's get the discussion going. What type of retail stores and services do we need on Roosevelt Island and just as important can the local population and visitors to the Island support these stores so that they can stay in business?

Bowing to the wishes of the readers, I will stop using CAPS ( I promise that was the last time). This is a very new blog and I am learning as I continue to post. I appreciate the opinions of all of you who offered comments on this topic and will follow the overwhelming consensus to remove the caps. Please continue to offer your advice and comments and I will incorporate them to the best of my ability.Are the caps on the right side of page bothersome as well?

Please forgive the Red Sox photo. Although, I am a Yankee fan, a member of the family is a Sox fan and this is for her.

I SAW THE FLYER BELOW TAPED TO ONE OF THE KIOSKS ON MAIN STREET THIS MORNING. DOES THIS MEAN THAT ROOSEVELT ISLAND WILL HAVE IT'S OWN ITALIAN RESTAURANT SOON? THERE IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE A JAPANESERESTAURANT AS WELL. IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PLEASE SEND INFO.

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION IS THE MOVIE SELECTED TO BE SHOWN AT SOUTHPOINT PARK ON SATURDAY, JULY 28 AT 9PM. COME WATCH THE MOVIE AND ENJOY THE FABULOUS VIEWS . RIOC IS TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR RE-INSTITUTING THE OUTDOOR MOVIE PROGRAM THIS SUMMER!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

THE BROOKLYN PARER HAS AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE OPENING OF THE EAST RIVER STATE PARK ON THE WILLIAMSBURG WATERFRONT. THE 7 1/2 ACRE PARK COSTS APPROXIMATELY $8.3 MILLION AND THERE ARE HOPES OF DINING CARTS FROM LOCAL BUSINESS COMING SOON.RACHEL GORDON, THE STATE'S DIRECTOR OF NEW YORK CITY PARKS SAID IN THE ARTICLE THAT:

“The city has a park master plan that covers the entire waterfront,” said Gordon. “And is already very interested in plans for developing the Bushwick inlet next door.”

I AM VERY HAPPY THAT WILLIAMSBURG, OUR WATERFRONT NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH, IS GETTING A BRAND NEW PARK BUT WHAT ABOUT ROOSEVELT ISLAND'S SOUTHPOINT PARK? WHY DOES THE PROJECTED COST FOR THE PLAN TO DEVELOP THE ENTIRE 10 ACRE SITE BY THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND AT SOUTHPOINT EXCEED 40 MILLION WHEN THE SLIGHTLY SMALLER EAST RIVER STATE PARK COST LESS THAN $10 MILLION AND THE COST FOR PHASE 1 OF THE PLAN, WHICH ENCOMPASSES LESS THAN HALF OF SOUTHPOINT PARK, IS PROJECTED AT MORE THAN $12 MILLION.THERE MAY BE VERY REASONABLE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE ANSWERS ARE.

Monday, July 23, 2007

THE WINDOWS AT NEW APARTMENT ARE SET TO ONLY OPEN ABOUT FOUR INCHES ALTHOUGH THE WINDOWS CAN CLEARLY BE OPENED FURTHER IF UNLOCKED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LAW REQUIRES WINDOW GUARDS IN APARTMENTS WHERE THERE ARE SMALL CHILDREN. ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, WINDOW GUARDS MUST BE INSTALLED IF:

you live in a building that has three or more apartments and a child under age 11 lives in your apartment.

BUT,

if you do not have a child under age 11 living with you, you still can have window guards if you want them.

THIS SEEMS TO INFER THAT THERE IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL WINDOWS GUARDS WHERE NO CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN THE APARTMENT AND WINDOW GUARDS ARE NOT REQUESTED BY TENANT.

I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO OPEN MY WINDOWS MORE THAN FOUR INCHES AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE TRYING TO CONVINCE THEIR BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO PERMIT APARTMENT WINDOWS TO FULLY OPEN WHEN THERE IS NO ISSUE OF CHILD PROTECTION INVOLVED.

Recent Reader Comments

Recent Comments

Total Pageviews For Last 7 Days Via Blogger

WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.